Twins are set to get on their bikes and cover 1000 miles in nine days in memory of their father.

Former Tiverton High School pupils Ashley and Liam Bard, both 29 are cycling solo from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’ Groats in Scotland. Their ride aims to raise awareness and money for the Exeter Leukemia Fund (ELF) and King’s College London Hospital, in remembrance of their father Arthur Bard who passed away after a short and unexpected battle with chronic leukaemia last year aged 62.

Arthur was diagnosed in the spring of 2018, but after receiving treatment for only a couple months, a routine blood test highlighted an abnormality.

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Arthur was immediately admitted to Exeter RD&E where he underwent a week of treatment. Unfortunately, they were unable to control the spread of the damage, and a decision was made to transfer him to the UK Specialist Liver Unit at King’s College Hospital, London. Following a further three weeks of treatment and around the clock care, Arthur died on September 1, 2018.

Ashley and Liam are both keen cyclists and wanted to raise money to show their support and gratitude, with their elder brother Matthew, 36 sending them off at the very start.

Ashley, Group Head of Brand Production for Global, owner of Heart FM & Capital said: “Our Dad will always be our hero, but he would think we’re nuts for doing this. We want to use something we’re pretty good at, which he was proud of, to do our bit for ELF and the Howard Ward at King’s College Hospital”.

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Liam, Director of Bard Electrical, added: “I’m used to cycling short distances in race environments, not averaging 100 miles a day, so it is a huge task, but we’re both surviving the gruelling training by reminding ourselves of why we’re doing this”.

The ride departs from Land’s End on Wednesday, June 19 and the boys will be passing through Tiverton the following day on Thursday, June 20 at 9:00 am along Exeter Road and Leat Street, before heading out towards Bampton for their next stop in Bath.

You can follow their progress and show support at www.twinsontour.co.uk and with the hashtag #TwinsOnTour.